Sun city 01 June 2019 – At first glance the most anticipated evening in South African music industry looked promising. It was a night of high positive energy and glamour, even with the dodgy nominee’s list. I for one was looking forward to a great show despite the obvious low budget production and the terrible combination of hosts, a definite red flag from the beginning.
Sbali was watching the usually disappointing broadcast on TV but I had a man on the ground in Sun City documenting every moment as it happens.
- I’m not even going to mention your favorite celeb’s terrible outfit. However, I was concerned about the chaotic and uncoordinated red carpet, a repeat of last year’s unprofessional horror.
- I get what they were trying to achieve but Bob Mabena and his Co-Host was an obvious bad choice, a true disaster. Made the awards seem unplanned and unbudgeted for. SA deserves better!!!
- I would talk about Bontle Modisele’s horrible make up but that’s for Precious Mcjane to do. I would like to be the one to tell everyone that someone isn’t cut out for TV presenting and I don’t know how she keeps getting these paying gigs.
- It got worse when Khuli Chana and Twasa took over… Who came up with this Idea? Should’ve just let Nomzamo Mbatha and Mpho Pops do the whole damn show.
- Khuli Chana’s ugly red jacked and that bow on his waist was truly disturbing to the eye. The outfit traumatized me so much I can’t recall a word he said.
- The awards lacked that Bonang quality and Somizi authenticity. It is good to give others a chance but let it be on merit and should be well deserved.
- The performance list sucked. The Ishmael performance was a disaster, a mess of note. It didn’t achieve what they were trying to convey. And what was Kelly Khumalo doing on stage… Huh? It was hard to watch her perform in her 1999 Durban July dress.
- Some awards still don’t make sense… like Sjava losing best male to Black Coffee and then winning best album against Black Coffee.
- And how the hell did Holly Rey win record of the year against the likes of Kwesta and his VurVai. Didn’t Lady Zamar receive highest airplay award?
- The shock of the night was when Spikiri won the best Kwaito/Qgom/Amapiano album. Felt like watching a live broadcast of the tender selection process.
Joyous Celebration Steals Night 1 of SAMA25
Popular gospel group, Joyous Celebration stood out on the night, walking away with the coveted Best Selling DVD and Best Selling Artist awards.
Cassper Nyovest and Black Coffee also accepted recognition in absentia on the first night. This was a fixture of the occasion since much of the A-list entertainment community did not attend the ceremony on Friday.
SAMA25: Complete Night 1 winners’ list
This is the complete list of winners on Night 1 of SAMA25:
BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Ard Matthews – Impossible Machines
BEST AFRICAN ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Nathi- Iphupha Labantu
BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
Nakhane – You Will Not Die
BEST R&B/SOUL ALBUM
Zonke – L.O.V.E
BEST REGGAE ALBUM
Black Dillinger – Mavara is King
BEST CONTEMPORARY FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
We Will Worship – Seasons Volume 1
BESTE KONTEMPORÊRE MUSIEK ALBUM
Coenie de Villiers – Pure Coenie
BEST JAZZ ALBUM
Bokani Dyer Trio – Neo Native
REST OF AFRICA AWARD
Diamond Platnumz – A Boy from Tandale
BEST LIVE AUDIOVISUAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Cassper Nyovest – Fill up Orlando Stadium – Robin Kohl
BEST COLLABORATION
Black Coffee feat. David Guetta and Delilah Montagu – Drive
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Jeremy Loops – Gold by Robert Smith
BEST PRODUCED ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Nasty C – Strings and Bling by Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo, Sipho Dlamini and Collin Gayle
BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Vusi Nova – Manyan-nyan by Robin Walsh
REMIX OF THE YEAR
Zakwe – Sebentin by Cassper Nyovest, HHP, Blaklez, Kwesta and Musiholiq
BEST SELLING DVD
Joyous Celebration 22 All for You
BEST SELLING ARTIST
Joyous Celebration – Umoya Kulendawo
SAMRO/CAPASSO HIGHEST AIRPLAY COMPOSER’S AWARD
Lady Zamar -Collide
Related: Honouring Africa’s influence on today’s international music
The final night of the ceremony was a star-studded event that saw every deserving artist receive recognition for their artistic work.
Complete SAMA Night 2 winners’ list
This is the complete list of winners from Night 2 of the awards ceremony:
BEST AFRO POP ALBUM
Sjava — Umqhele
BEST KWAITO / GQOM / AMAPIANO ALBUM
Spikiri — King Don Father
BEST AFRICAN INDIGENOUS FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
Ithimba Le Africa — Sesiphunyukile
BEST TRADITIONAL FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
Spirit of Praise — Spirit of Praise Vol 7
SAMPRA HIGHEST AIRPLAY OF THE YEAR
Lady Zamar — Collide
SAMRO/CAPASSO BEST-SELLING DIGITAL ARTIST
Lindelani Mkhize, Mnqobi Nxumalo, Siphiwe Ngcobo — Thobeka Mahlangu
BEST HIP-HOP ALBUM
Nasty C — Strings N Bling
BEST ROCK ALBUM
Dan Patlansky — Perfection Kills
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
TKZEE
Mango Groove
HHP
BESTE POP ALBUM
Snotkop — Sous
BEST POP ALBUM
Tresor — Nostalgia
BEST DANCE ALBUM
Black Motion — Moya Wa Taola
BEST MASKANDI ALBUM
Sgwebo Sentambo — Yekani Umona
BEST TRADITIONAL ALBUM
Candy — Hupenyu Unenge Viri
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Sho Madjozi — Limpopo Champions League
DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Black Motion — Moya Wa Taola
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Sho Madjozi — Limpopo Champions League
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Black Coffee — Music is King
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Sjava — Umqhele
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Holly Rey — Deeper
